This was writen by Irish Cream-Summer Ann Bartlett- I want to thank her for sharing her experience with all of us.

Ok guys I will get the best pics I took of him up asap. But for now, just wanted to let you guys know that I got to see him perform and he is amazing!!!!

I waited for an hour an a half outside The Star Bar at the Sundance Film Festival. I was the first one in line and apparently the only Darren Fan there.

I pressed my ear up against the door when I heard someone singing (one of the guys had opened it enough for some sound to come up while they were rehearsing) and I heard him singing So Beatiful! I nearly cried I couldnt believe he was actually already in the building and had been there for some time. Then much to my amazement about twenty minutes later I see a woman come out of the front door. I did a double take and sure enough it was LEONIE!!!!

I said "Excuse me? Are you Leonie Messer?" She replied with a smile, "Yeah!" and I said, "Oh my God! I can't believe I recognized you, you are just as famous as Darren." And I smiled at the mention of his name - who should walk out the door with Robert Conley following close behind but... you guessed it! DARREN HAYES HIMSELF!!!!

I managed to get the shock off my face within a second and say "Hi, Darren!" and he replied, "Hi!" and I said I had come to hear him sing and I heard him rehearsing and he said, "oh its a bit of a small gig really" and I said "You sounded beautiful!" He said "Thank you..." and smiled. I said "You're welcome. Can I give you a hug?" and he smiled and said "Sure!" and held his arms wide to me and I stepped into him and gave him the biggest hug I could muster and pulled away saying under my breath "thank you so much.

I dont think he heard me... but I was grinning from ear to ear! Once I pulled away he goes "Ooooh, your so velvetine" Or something like that... because my coat was velvetine and soft. LOL I chuckled.

Now yes I swear I really got the luck of him comming up and out the front door and I really did get to hug him. But, I forgot I had my bloody digital and didnt get a pic with him.

So anyways... he said: "Do any of you guys know where the Radison Hotel is? "I said no, " oh no everyone said that too...then he asked about the elevation and I told him that yeah I had gotten elevation sickness that morning and to get some food and walk up and down the main drag slowly and it would eventually be ok. He said the food bit would be no problem and I told him to just breath slowly through his nose and out his mouth... I dont know how much he actually listened to me and if it worked or not. But anyways... off they went down the street. Poor guy I know exactly how he felt with that elevation bit!!!

Right so... another hour passes and finally we get in, no cover charge!!! and I was first in line and got a seat in the third row for the first two on stage and then a seat in the front row for D!!!! He was beautiful. He sang Darkness, To the Moon and Back, Unloveable, (about a horrible break up he had with who he thought was the love of his life at the time Two Beds and a Coffee Machine (for his mother) and So Beautiful (he is in love)! Those are all I think he sang though I may be missing one. I dont think so... but I'm sure we'll find out eventually.

I got pics and sang along moving as much as possible without getting up and jumping up and down (I wouldve gotten kicked out for that) and it should be on the Sundance Channel at 10:30pm my time and I was told by the chick who tapes for Park City Tv that she would put me on... which if you see it Im the chick with the short brown hair and brown eyes in the red shirt lip sinking! LOL

Anyways, I waited to hopefully get a picture with him. But, he had to be interviewed (I was told) by SHOWTIME!!!!! and some other local people! But, hopefully (I told everyone who would listen about him) he will get some major press and be able to do a US tour with this upcomming album and tour? I can hope cant I?...

And, I can die a happy woman! I saw him and heard him sing LIVE AND IN PERSON not five feet from him. He was SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!! THANK YOU DARREN FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND BEING SUCH A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LOVE! I know how you feel man as I have finally found mine!!! Big thank you to my husband for watching our son and letting me see Darren Hayes in person.

BTW: I could be wrong. But, I do believe that Darren has himself a new ring on his wedding finger and it looks to be a golden band. What it means I will not even venture to speculate... but I hope it means he has lasting happiness for the rest of his life with his new found love!!!

Love and Light!

Summer Ann Bartlett